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Doctorate
About the PhD programme
The Doctoral Programme in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering (PDNAOE) is integrated into the third cycle of studies, following the Bologna Agreement, as a complement to the first and second cycles in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering.
The PDNAOE has as its primary goal to promote research in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, allowing the development of relevant areas of international scientific knowledge, to present the development of recognised technological and scientific research activities at an international level and to contribute to the high-quality academic education in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering and offering this education at international level.
The first PhD in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering was granted in 1998. Following the new rules of the Bologna Agreement, the Doctoral Programme in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering was established by the Scientific Council of IST through deliberation on 26 April 2000. In 2017, the PhD programme was renamed Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering due to changes in the names of the bachelor's and master's degree programmes.
Until 2025, more than 70 PhD theses were defended in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at IST. The list of these can be consulted here.
Curricular Plan
The curricular plan can be found at https://fenix.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/cursos/den/curriculo
Research Areas
The topics addressed in the Doctoral Programme fall within the following research areas:
• Marine Environment
• Safety Analysis and Management
• Aquaculture
• Autonomous Vehicle Control
• Ship Dynamics and Hydrodynamics
• Energy Efficiency of Ships
• Recreational Vessels
• Offshore Renewable Energy
• Marine Structures
• Impact of Climate Change
• Maritime Transport and Port Logistics
• Reliability-Based Maintenance
• Design of Ships, Floating and Submersible Structures
• Fishing Technology
These topics, covered in the Doctoral Programs in Naval and Ocean Engineering, reflect the challenges of this field, which involve aspects of planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of systems, vehicles, and structures intended to exploit marine resources and to study their environmental and economic impacts.
Designed For
The PhD is intended for Engineers holding a 5-year undergraduate degree or a Master degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering or related areas who aspire to acquire and deepen their scientific knowledge in this area.
Employment
The holder of a Doctoral Degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering can work at Universities, Research Laboratories, Enterprises, Governmental Offices and Public Administration.
List of institutions where PhD holders work:
• National: Universidades; APREN; MSW; SONAE; WestSea; etc.
• International: The Arctic University of Norway; Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria; Aalborg University; Deltares; Delft University of Technology; SINTEF Ocean AS; Wood Norway; DNV; UFRJ; NOOA; Lloyds Register; University of Port Said; University of Zagreb; Technical University of Darmstadt; Vestas; NTNU; Wuhan University of Technology; Harbin Engineering University; etc.
Characteristics and Opportunities
DENO students can conduct their research in close collaboration with the Centre for Marine Technology and Ocean Engineering (CENTEC) at IST. CENTEC is dedicated to cutting-edge scientific research, technology development, and demonstration, with a strong focus on the sustainable exploration and use of marine resources. Its areas of expertise span maritime transport and port operations, ocean space utilisation — including coastal zones — marine resource exploitation, recreational boating, and the protection of the marine environment and its ecosystems.
A central pillar of CENTEC's mission is the design, construction, and maintenance of ships and other floating or submersible structures, which serve as key enablers for these activities.
CENTEC places strong emphasis on risk analysis, safety, and reliability, including occupational safety, and actively promotes the application of this knowledge across various industrial and service sectors.
DENO students can also conduct their research in close collaboration with leading international institutions, including the Joint International Laboratory of Naval Architecture and Ocean Technology. Furthermore, DENO Professors are active members of several international research networks, including ISSC, MARSTRUCT, WEGEMT, and COST, which provide valuable opportunities for students and early-career researchers to engage in international scientific events.
Joint PhD degrees have been awarded with: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, University of Engineering, Harbin, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, and University of Zagreb.
Joint supervisions of PhD's have been carried on with: Amir Kabir University of Technology, Gdansk University of Technology, Technical University of Varna, Universidade de Las Palmas de Gran Canarias, University of Messina, University of Rijeka, Dalian Maritime University, North-western Polytechnical University, Ocean University of China, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Wuhan University of Technology, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Scholarships
Students could develop their research work plan within the scope of ongoing research projects, often supported by specific research grants for PhD students. Additionally, PhD scholarships from FCT represent a key funding source for doctoral studies in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering.
For further information, please use the following contacts:
CENTEC
• Website: http://www.centec.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/
• Email: centec@centec.tecnico.ulisboa.pt
• Phone: +351 21 841 7468
List of Theses
http://www.centec.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/en/doutoramento/concluidos.aspx
Admission
Can apply for a Doctoral Degree:
• The holders of a Master's degree or equivalent in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering or related areas.
• The holders of a 5-year undergraduate degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering or related areas
• The holders of a relevant academic, scientific or professional curriculum that the Scientific Council of IST recognises as being able to attend this course.
Link for Applications and Regulations: https://tecnico.ulisboa.pt/en/education/study-at-tecnico/applications/doctoral-programmes/
Postgraduate Area
• Website: https://tecnico.ulisboa.pt/pt/tag/area-de-pos-graduacao/
• Email: posgraduacao@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Doctoral School
• Website: https://doctoralschool.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/~doctoralschool.daemon/
Facts and Numbers
✓ Several PhD Professors classified as the Top 2% of most cited in the world
✓ 74 PhD degrees completed until 2025
✓ Average of 25 PhD students registered per year
✓ 3 (average number of) publications in International Journal Papers per PhD student per year
✓ 5 years on average to complete a PhD programme
✓ 100 % of Employment of PhD holders
✓ Collaboration with several universities for Joint degrees
Contact
Coordination
Prof. Yordan Garbatov, Programme Coordinator
Location:
Centre for Marine Technology and Ocean Engineering
Pavilhão Central – 1º andar
Instituto Superior Técnico
Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa
Information Requests:
Email: deno@centec.tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Phone: +351 218 417 468
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